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Archiver > KYCLAY > 1998-08 > 0902889714
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Subject: [KYCLAY-L] BAKER TRIAL -1899
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 22:41:54 EDT
Hello All,
This was posted today by Cindy Crawford to the KY Footsteps list. This is an
excerpt from the "Mt. Vernon Signal."
AUG 11, 1899
JIM BAKER TRIAL
The Prosecution Concluded its Testimony by Introducing Four Witnesses
Baker claims alibi!
BARBOURVILLE, KY, AUG 5,---In the Jim Baker trial the prosecution concluded
its testimony by introducing four witnesses. A.B. Howard testified that he
was wounded at the time his son William was killed. As they were riding
along the road they were shot at by persons in ambush. He rocognized Tom
Baker and some one whom he thought was Jim.
James Robinson, who was working at Baker's house when the killing occurred,
testified that soon after shots were fired Tom and Jim came home greatly
excited. Just before the shooting he said Tom went down the road in the
direction whence the shots came, with what he thought to be a gun.
Robinson testified in the examinging trial that Tom and Jim were both at
home when the shots were fired. Now he claims that he was forced by the
Barker's to swear to a lie as they threatened to him him.
Fuller Barrett had testified twice before that Tom and Jim were at home
when Wilson Howard was killed. This time he swore that he in company with
Jim and Tom and Wiley Baker were together in the road when Howard came up;
that Tom fired and Burch Storr fell dead and Bill Howard was wounded. Jim
Baker fired and there was a fusilade of bullets. He said the Baker's
forced him to swear false the first two times. Barrett was indicted with
the Baker's for the murder, but after his indictment had been canceled by
the commonweath he turned state's evidence. He is a first cousin to Tom
Baker. The defense claims to be able to prove alibi.
THE GRIFFITH FACTION
A body of Mounted Men, With Winchesters and Revolvers Are on the Way to
Clay County
London, Ky Aug 6--- A force of about 15 mounted men, armed with Winchesters
and Colt's revolvers and a good supply of ammunition, passed between here
and Pittsburg Thursday night going in the direction of Clay county. They
were members of the Griffin faction and it is supposed that they have
joined those who have gone into Manchester to attend the examining trial of
Green Griffin, which is set for Friday. Green is to be tried for the
killing of Edward Fisher in the big battle of two weeks ago in Clay county.
There is not telling whether trouble will occur or not.
The Testimony Closed
BARBOURVILLE, Ky., Aug 6--The testimony has closed in the case against
James Baker for killing Wilson Howard. The witnesses for the defense
testified that Tom and James Baker were at home when the killing occurred.
Argument commenced Friday. The case will be given to the jury Saturday
evening. The case against Wiley Baker will then be called. Although many
feudists are here there are no disturbances.
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